Donie Cassidy (Fianna Fail)

I assure the Cathaoirleach that this side of the House fully supports his ruling in this matter which has always made for orderly conduct.

As Leader of Seanad Éireann, on the first sitting day of the session, I offer the congratulations of the House to the new President of the United States of America, Barack Obama. President Obama has an onerous responsibility and everyone hopes and prays he will assist the world in this difficult time. The United States also has a new Vice President, Joe Biden. As I have stated on many occasions, Bill and Hillary Clinton have done great work for this country. I congratulate Hillary Clinton on her appointment as Secretary of State and look forward to meeting her during her term of office. I also extend best wishes to Mr. George Mitchell on his appointment as the envoy of the United States to the Middle East. Mr. Mitchell is a dear friend of Ireland who brought peace to our country. We wish President Obama, Vice President Biden, Secretary of State Clinton and the special envoy, Mr. Mitchell, God speed. We hope they will be successful. I look forward to their stewardship.

Senators Fitzgerald, O'Toole, Alex White, Regan, Coghlan, Buttimer, McFadden and Healy-Eames expressed their views on economic matters and the debate on the economy which will take place later. I acknowledge that in the past 24 hours the media have justifiably given equal coverage to the Seanad and Dáil in this matter. People will know the Upper House of Parliament is taking seriously the review of recent events when Senators update the Minister on economic matters which may be of particular relevance or urgency in their respective areas.

When the economic downturn started in earnest in late September or early October I indicated that I intended to have a special debate on the economy every five or six weeks. These debates will be wide-ranging and will allow Senators to express their views freely with the Minister, a Minister of State and senior officials in the Department of Finance present. They will be enormously helpful.

On 1 July 2008, approximately 480 people were signing on for unemployment assistance in my home town of Castlepollard. I have noted with regret seven months later that 1,200 people are signing on at the unemployment exchange in this small community, which I am privileged to represent. The percentage increase in unemployment in Castlepollard is the third largest in the country over the period in question. This is principally due to the area's dependence on the construction industry, particularly through its many sand and gravel pits, and the manufacture of various items for the construction industry. With the motor trade, which is supplied by Iralco and Mergon, experiencing a global downturn, Honda is not in a position to purchase chrome strips or parts for their stores in Europe. As a result, workers at the Mergon factory in Castlepollard have been placed on a three-day week. Unprecedented global events are taking place. I thank the leaders of the groups for their understanding and assistance in these changing times.

I welcome the improvement in the fortunes of Bank of Ireland and Allied Irish Banks shares in recent days. This development will give heart to small and medium-sized family and private businesses which employ more than 40% of the workforce and encourage them to keep up the good fight. I hope we will see an economic upturn in the next 18 months or two years. I have assured the House that regular debates on the economy will take place throughout the year as the economy experiences difficulty and colleagues seek to express their views on matters arising. I look forward to today's debate on the economy.

I extend my best wishes to the social partners and Government in their efforts to find a formula to meet the challenge of correcting difficulties being experienced in the public finances. As we are all aware, parts one and two of the Celtic tiger might never have occurred had it not been for the decision of the former Taoiseach, the late Charles Haughey, and the former leader of the trade union movement, Mr. Mullen, to establish the social partnership process in 1987. Everyone involved at the time deserves congratulations on finding a winning formula for Ireland which was held up as a shining example across Europe. The social partners and Government are rallying to the call to address the problem of finding savings of €2 billion required to correct the Exchequer imbalance.

Senators O'Toole, Mary White, McDonald, Mullen, Norris, Buttimer, Healy-Eames, John Paul Phelan, Glynn and Corrigan referred to the Roscommon incest case and expressed horror, shock and disappointment that it should have arisen. We can all learn from this experience and I intend to arrange an urgent debate on the issue. I am encouraged by the actions of a brave, new Minister of State, Deputy Barry Andrews, in the few days since this matter was brought to his attention. I intend to request his presence in the House to allow colleagues to raise their concerns and ascertain how we can respond to this dreadful case.

Senators Regan, Daly, Ó Murchú, Cummins and many others brought to the attention of the House the invasion of Gaza which took place over the Christmas period and the horrors being experienced by its people. We did not believe we would see the like of this again but it is real and we were able to watch it live on television. The Seanad must commend the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Deputy Micheál Martin, and the Taoiseach on the Government's stance on the issue. I intend to have a debate with the Minister present.

Senator Norris has placed non-Government motion 32 on the Order Paper. I will do everything I can to facilitate the debate but I remind Independent Senators that next Wednesday night is their Private Members' time. If the Senators wish to have additional time to discuss this and make it their priority for next week——